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Topic: Easiest way of a farmer providing water during a pollination contract? (Read 2545 times)

Just wondering if you might be able to help me out - I've had a farmer approach me for a pollination contract - the crop is fully enclosed in a shade house so water access etc is restricted... Obviously the plants will be drip irrigated but I don't want to rely on that as their only water source. What's the methods a farmer could employ to supply the bees with adequate water whilst ensuring they don't drown?

If a shade house is what we call a green house, the bees will not go in and out down low. They will fly to the top and die.

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As Iddee said, the bees will fly to the brightest area and die against the glass/fabric.

Scott

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There is very little, if any, drowning issue with water. The trouble comes with sugar water or honey. It is sticky. Anything that floats would work in water. Dead plant leaves, boards, straw, etc.

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So, theoretically, if you put a few bits of polystyrene foam floating on the water this would resolve any issues? Also, this contract would be feasible if the hives are located in the greenhouse correct? obviously if they were located outside of the shadecloth you'd have issues with them flying back out...

Bees fly for 4 Kilometers in all directions. It's just a guess, but I think you will lose your bees in a greenhouse.Styrofoam would be fine in a water tank

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"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me . . . Anything can happen, child. Anything can be"

They go to the top and try to get out. They never go back down to where the curtains are raised. They stay up there and die.

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"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me . . . Anything can happen, child. Anything can be"

There will not be enough blooms inside to supply the hive, unless it contains acres. They will try to go farther.

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"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me . . . Anything can happen, child. Anything can be"

Sorry bernsad and sorry iddee - I understand what you're saying now, it's not a massive area that's under shadecloth - it's about 3,000m2 and not everything is in flower... looking at the photos i've been sent through of the setup there are two ends that are completely open and on the sides the shade cloth goes to the ground. What would be the best way of positioning the hives in that situation? The rows run from open end to open end so i was thinking of positioning the hives just out from undeneath the shade cloth facing in toward the row ends

Sounds reasonable to me. I suppose you could set it up and moniter it for a few hours or check it after a day and see what you think. Put them in on condition that you might have to pull out if you're losing too many girls.